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Although some distance better than their display against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday, the Lions were poor once again.

Rhys Webb of the British & Irish Lions makes a break during a match between the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians and British & Irish Lions

One shining light for the men in red was Welshman Rhys Webb. The scrum-half, who came also replaced Laidlaw in the Barbarians game, was a livewire and a good attacking threat from the base of the scrum.

Webb was noticeably quicker around the ruck than Laidlaw had been in the previous game and the fleeting moments of quality from the Lions all came through him.

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There is still a lot of time for Laidlaw to impress Lions head coach Warren Gatland but he will need to up his game considerably. He did show some nice touches during his short cameo but was unable to unlock the Blues defence as they held firm in the final moments.

Greig Laidlaw of the Lions reacts during the match between the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians and British & Irish Lions

Conor Murray was favourite to have a role in the tests but is one of four men yet to have an involvement on tour, along with George North, Sean O’Brien and Jonathan Davies.

He will get his chance in the coming games, possibly against the Crusaders this weekend, and if he plays well it could it could leave Laidlaw facing an uphill battle.